This book was just ok for me. Parts of it were genuinely fun to read but I was left feeling a little bored for large swaths. This was possibly due to the plot which is definitely slow and a bit lost behind all of the banter. I honestly didn't know what the plot was for about 70% of the book. The ending came together nicely and tied it all up, though.

3.75 stars rounded up.

This book was half Regency half Fantasy in a way. I really enjoyed the plot of this book. It’s a quick cutesy book with magical elements, princes, and arranged marriages. This book took me a while to get through because I kept having to go back and reread or relisten to some parts I missed or didn’t make sense the first time, and this is probably no fault of the author, I don’t think I was necessarily in the mood for this type of story. However, I really loved the MCs and the mystery of Lovelace. The magical elements brought something new i’ve not seen before with the unique powers the FMC possessed. I also do love a book where the characters are going at each other and then inevitably fall in love. Overall a cute magical read!

3.5

This was a very cute, cozy YA romance with airs of Bridgerton and a dash of magic by Allison Saft. The story's pace was a bit off at times and there were a couple of plotholes in the non romance part of the story that held me back from truly loving it!

Niamh, a dressmaker and sewer gifted with the power of enchanting her creations, gets the honor of a lifetime when the Prince Regent of Avaland invites her to make the royal clothing for his little brother Prince Kit's upcoming wedding to the princess of Castilia. Niamh grew up in Machland, a colony to the right of Avaland that suffered great losses during a recent Civil War.

Niamh and Kit's romance, once formed, was full of tension and cute banter. Getting there was quite the journey- this was a slow burn and enemies-to-lovers (though Kit mostly treated everyone like his enemy to be fair).

The romance took center stage in this book as it should. However, I wish Saft had further developed the political tension between the nations in the background, and the subsequent world building. Also, she totally left readers hanging with what would happen with Niamh's health and chronic illness. It was not clear to me if she'd just live a long life if she rested? Somehow, that doesn't seem quite realistic with how deep her fears were throughout the book.

I am participating in the St. Martin's Press boycott. I will not be publicly reviewing this title until St. Martin's Press addresses reader concerns.

A Fragile Enchantment was a dreamy and whimsical romance set in a wonderfully unique fantasy world. All of the characters were quick to find a place in my heart, as they each felt distinctly real and personable. All of the characters went through their own problems that were relatable to the real world, even in the fantasy setting. One of my favorite aspects of the novel was its special magic system. I have never seen a character with abilities like Niamh, and it was extremely interesting and intriguing to read about. It combined the mystery and lavishness of Bridgerton and the swoon worthy romance of every classic fairy tale. Lady Whistledown was reborn in the form of Lovelace, and brought to the novel my favorite aspect of Bridgerton—the question of who can you trust in this magical, Regency inspired world? The representation of the LGBTQ+ community, along with chronic illness and mental health added depth to the romance. If you enjoy romantic stories taking place in historical settings, then this story is definitely for you.

Very well and beautifully written with gorgeous, vivid details. While this may have been a fantasy world, it was truly enchanting, viewing it through the author and Niamh's eyes. I could feel the enchantments in the clothing as though I was wearing it. I loved the inclusion and the diversity of characters as well as the nod to the Bridgerton story. There were likable characters and some that I didn't like much even though they eventually redeemed themselves. I will absolutely read more from this author.

This was really cute. I didn’t find it as atmospheric as A Far Wilder Magic or as riveting as Down Comes the Night but it was a fun romp, with interesting characters and sweet romance. I liked Neamh and the complexity of all the characters. But there were details I found lacking and plot points that seemed to meander. My favorite thing about the book, though, was the undercurrent running through multiple characters about how prior generations can really mess us up and we alter our lives based on their expectations. Neamh’s tendency toward people pleasing and shrinking herself to not inconvenience others was particularly relatable. But all of them needed in some way to grow beyond their parents, and that’s a fantastic message for readers of any age.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and St. Martins Press for the free eARC. My opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this fantasy take on Irish and English political relationships (oh wait, it's Macklish and Avaland relationships) and even though this is very gaslamp Regency fantasy, there is a modern aspect as the dynamics between Kit and his brother that feel very much like the comparisons between William and Harry, and there is a section that is heavily inspired by Bridgerton. Is it perfect, no, and there were some aspects that I didn't like (character actions and choices made). But for the most part, the story was fantastic, very much in line with what I love about books.

I really enjoyed Niamh's character, and even enjoyed her interactions with Kit, Sinclair and Rosa. Kit's older brother is laboring under the pressures of being Prince Regent, a newly wed, dealing with the strikes of servants, and he makes some really questionable choices that impact the plotline of the book.

I recommend this for those who like historical fantasy romances.
4.25 out of 5 stars.

This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. The world-building was excellent with a mix of regular people and enchanted people living together in a historical setting that was close enough to real life to be easily imagined. Niamh's gift for stitching memories and emotions into her designs is so creative!

I think my favorite part of this story was the fact that you can't help rooting for each character, even though they are all flawed. I was impressed with the way the author was able to weave tension into the story between characters without depicting anyone as a true villain. You can understand why they are making the choices they do, even as you cringe and shout, "No!". And I also liked that Kit is not portrayed as your typical big, tough hero who always knows what to say. His and Niamh's love story felt very authentic to me as they bantered and bickered and showed their love for each other in different ways.

If you are a fan of fantasy romance then you will probably enjoy A Fragile Enchantment.

I always love a good regency switch up, the magical elements seamlessly flow into the plot (as usual, thank you Allison for existing). The tension, the gentleman who is not gentle all the time, thorny man that he is. In love with this story and cried many times as an oldest daughter I get this in the core of my being.

I love Allison Saft’s debut and sophomore novels, Down Comes The Night and A Far Wilder Magic, so I was highly excited when I received an ARC for her newest release, A Fragile Enchantment.
Saft’s prose is, as it’s title, enchanting and luscious, perfectly encapsulating a magical atmosphere that is prevalent throughout A Fragile Enchantment. I would say Saft’s writing is definitely a strong factor, perhaps even better in this one.
When it comes to writing characters, Saft writes them with care and sensitivity, and I couldn’t help but love them. The characters are lovable and the romance is fantastic.
However, despite praises, I was left a bit unsatisfied by the plot and world building in A Fragile Enchantment. Truth be told, I can’t even distinctly pinpoint what exactly is the main plotline other than the romance plotline.
The world building is the weakest factor in Saft’s novels, and, unfortunately, it’s not the best aspect in this novel.
Despite that, I enjoyed A Fragile Enchantment, and I would still highly recommend!

3.5 stars. A very sweet YA Regency fantasy romance between a magical seamstress and the prince whose wedding she’s been hired to create garments for, with a Bridgertonesque Lady Whistledown subplot.

This was full of coziness and yearning, and while Niamh worried constantly, I wouldn’t quite call it anxiety and it didn’t make me want to throw the book against the wall as so many romances with anxious protagonists do.

The writing was truly lovely, too, with a truly excellent first kiss scene that is the perfect culmination of all the tension and longing of the story up to that point.

The main thing that felt off to me is that this is set in an alternate world, but the author is so clearly basing the locations on real countries. Aveland is imperialist England. Machland, with its Blight and names like Niamh Ó Conchobhair and the derision its inhabitants are held in by the Avlish, is Ireland. Castilia, whose citizens literally speak dialogue in Spanish, is Spain. It was strange to be reading about a fantasy world when the real-world counterparts were so obviously being referenced. Why not set it in the real England/Ireland/Spain or go all in on creating a high fantasy world? The in-between setting which wasn’t the real world but not quite NOT the real world kept pulling me out of the story because I kept wondering whether events and people referenced in the story were made up or real.

This so was freaking charming and sweet! I adored it. This book has great character, and good pacing, and was such a fun time. I recommend if you are looking for a fluffy fantasy romance.

Here’s my summary of this book: Gossip Girl meets Bridgerton except it’s boring and the scandal is predictable because everyone is bi.

While this book had some potential for interesting plot points, everything felt underdeveloped. Sadly, the characters really weren’t endearing and I found myself disliking most of them, aside from Sophia and Miriam.

The romance between Kit and Niamh felt forced and was very cringey. While I understand what the author was trying to do with those characters, it was overall a 🚩 relationship. I felt that he was very disrespectful towards Niamh because he didn’t have any respect for himself, and she deserved better—prince or not.

I wish we had gotten more insight about how the characters got their magic or learned how to use it. I understand they had “divine blood”, but is there more to that?

Some moments were sweet, but it definitely didn’t peak my interest until the halfway point. I thought the overall concept was interesting, but the execution left much to be desired.

Thank you to the author and Wednesday Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 40%

the narrator was fantastic. i really enjoyed her voice and it helped to listen to this with the gaelic names. i was really enjoying the story overall, but then it got to a certain point and i realized that i’m just not the audience for this book. i also wouldn’t recommend this as YA. it’s definitely new adult and should be treated as such.

thank you to wednesday books and macmillan audio for advanced copies. my thoughts are my own.

Magical and delightful all in one, Allison Saft takes A Fragile Enchantment and weaves olden-time romance, royalty, duty, and magic beautifully.

I loved watching Kit and Niamh lives interwine in the best way possible. Kit calls himself “all thorns” because at first and through most of his encounters he comes off that way. He has a very prickly disposition and uses his words as weapons. However, I loved watching him grow. On the other side, Niamh is very much our “sunshine” in the grumpy x sunshine equation we see. She has a gift that can make anyone feel so many things simply by weaving them into clothing. Yet at the heart of it, she truly cares about other people and how she can help them. These two were simply enchanting to watch together.

There are so many wistful feelings throughout A Fragile Enchantment. The story is set in older times with royalty, duty, and prejudices and our characters long to do the right thing while navigating the world’s difficulties. I will say in the beginning it was a bit tough to gather all the information and get the names down. However, once you start connecting everything the story takes off tenfold and I adored this magical story.

2.5 Stars
One Liner: Disjointed and scattered

Niamh Ó Conchobhair is a commoner but a gifted seamstress who can weave enchantments into the dresses she makes. This gets her an invitation to make dresses for the royal wedding in the kingdom of Avaland, a neighbor who has been oppressing her country for generations. Still, Niamh is not willing to let go of the chance to earn money and give her mother and gran a better life.
Soon, Niamh realizes things aren’t great in Avaland. The groom, Prince Kit (Christopher) is rude and is nothing more than a pawn in a political wedding. As Kit and Niamh spend time together, friendship and love bloom. However, someone knows or suspects it and is now blackmailing them to reveal some crucial secrets.
What will Niamh and Kit do? Fight for love, sacrifice for the kingdom, or find a way out to solve all problems?
The story comes in Niamh’s third-person POV.

What I Like:
The cover of this edition is beautiful. It is whimsical and has an other-worldly feel, which suits the premise.
The bare bones (intentions) are good, be it the conflict between the oppressor and oppressed countries, rich vs. poor, or a magical setting.
Kit’s magic is well done. It’s the only part of the magical system that was detailed to an extent. Niamh’s talents show promise, but that’s it.
Some descriptions are beautiful and paint a vivid picture of the setting.
Infanta Rosa, Miriam, Sofia, and Sinclair have great potential.

What Could Have Been Better for Me:
Yes, I know this is YA romance. However, I can’t help but feel that the premise has been wasted and diluted. The book could have been more intricate and compact if it was written for an adult audience. (On that note, I’m not sure if Kit’s excessive smoking and the beginning of the love scene are suitable for younger YA readers.)
Niamh reminds me of Bella from Twilight. A comparison I would have liked in my early 20s but not now. Despite the narration not being her first-person POV (thank god!), there’s a lot of rambling. We need Kit’s POV to balance the narrative.
The political conflict and all that is so messy! Even if the conflict is meant for the lead couple to ‘overcome’ the obstacles, it should be streamlined. It’s apparently a fantasy take on England vs. Ireland history, not that it would make any difference. There isn’t a proper resolution, either.
The side characters are way better than the main ones. They should have been more fleshed out.
The romance between Niamh and Kit is okayish. We don’t really know what Kit thinks. We only know what others tell Niamh what Kit thinks/ feels. Convincing? Nope.
I wish we had seen Niamh work. I mean work-work like the seamstress she is- delegating jobs to the staff the prince gave her, choosing between different materials, etc. However, we are told she is overworked and killing herself in the process coz she is so selfless and needs to learn to be selfish. She spends more time with her ‘friends’ and poking her nose into the internal matters. (Yes, there are scenes of her sewing, but I want her to do more than stitch and hurt herself with the stupid needle coz she is overworked.)
The book has themes like class differences, political conflicts, civil unrest, political marriage, parental abuse, alcoholism, forbidden romance, a chronic, life-threatening illness (very vague stuff), etc. But none manages to make an impact.
And… why do we have so many adverbs? 5-6 per Kindle page are too many for my poor brain to ignore. Lots of ‘golden’ light too. *sob*

To summarize, A Fragile Enchantment has a fantastic premise but flatters in execution. Even for a YA read, it could have been better. It is just too disjointed to make an impact.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s (Wednesday Books), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Due to the lower rating, the review will not be posted on Amazon.

Such a cute read! I couldn’t get enough of it. The characters were fun and cute and I just loved it after reading such a heavy fantasy book. Definitely would recommend to anyone even if they normally don’t read historical romance books.

This had so much in it! Political unrest, colonization by magical folks, bitter resentments from a past dealt with badly.
The romance between the two mcs was slow and built brick by brick. They were different classes and couldn't be together. He was getting married and she was designing their clothes for goodness sakes. I will say I loved the idea of being able to imbue magic and ideas and feelings into clothes. I would love an outfit that gave me courage, self confidence and make me feel unstoppable some days.

"Bridgerton" and fantasy collide - a charming regency-esque romance with a dash of magic. Alison Shaft weaves a beautiful story of love, longing, magic, classism, and intrigue, with lovable characters that you can't help but root for. I also wasn't expecting such strong queer rep, chronic illness rep, and representation for alcoholism/addiction, all of which was handled really nicely. There's also a great message within about how people-pleasing serves no one and how important it is to steer your own destiny whenever possible. Beautiful and touching, this one is definitely worth a read.